New MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL Set Photos

The holidays have run their course for most people, which means the brief break that isn’t often afforded production already in progress is over. Director Brad Bird’s first foray into live action is back on track in Vancouver, Canada, where Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, and some cast and crew were photographed on set of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. What is clear is that the weather there isn’t quite as accommodating to Bird compared to working inside a studio–he looks pretty cold. Luckily for him, with a December 16, 2011 release date pegged for the fourth iteration of the franchise, they won’t have to shoot in the winter again. Hit the jump for all of the set photos and a recap of what we know so far.

While this might be Bird’s first live-action film, he carries quite a bit of weight in the industry. That’s because his animated films, The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille, are among the best animated films of the last decade. So it’s no surprise when Bird assembled quite an impressive cast, including Cruise, Pegg, Paula Patton (Precious), Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames, and Josh Holloway (Lost). The film is supposedly set up as a quasi-reboot, with Renner being groomed to keep the franchise rolling in future films.

While there is no firm word on the plot itself, the talented team behind and in front of the lens are enough at this point to keep me interested. Additionally, with Michael Giacchino (Up) set to do the score and Robert Elswit (There Will Be Blood) as the director of photography, I know Bird’s first live-action experience is set up to be a success. If any Lost fans need more connections to the show, J.J. Abrams co-wrote the story that the film is based on and is producing. This will be one to watch for when it hits theaters December 16, 2011.